Christmas Day is about spending time with your family and loved ones. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to end up stuck in the kitchen, missing on the festivities, because you’re in charge of Christmas dinner.
To avoid this, you should include some make-ahead Christmas dishes in your holiday menu. That way, you can take care of the food preparation in advance and save Christmas Day for fun. We have the perfect 5 mouthwatering make-ahead Christmas dishes for you to be able to do just that.
The more you can prep, the better. Not only will this reduce your cooking time on the day but it will also allow you to take a chunk of the stress out of Christmas Day. There’s nothing worse than being so overwhelmed on the big day that you mess up the cooking and taste nothing but disappointment for Christmas dinner.
Christmas dishes made ahead of time take the stress out of Christmas Day. You can tick them off your to-do list before Santa has even left the North Pole. If you’re eating at somebody else’s house this year, you can plan a make-ahead dish to take with you. A Christmas dish made ahead is perfect because it won’t add to the chaos in the kitchen and you won’t get in the way.
Make-ahead Christmas dishes
1. Aussie summer salad
Peak summer is the perfect time for a classic, easy, fresh and sweet salad, making it an ideal make-ahead dish for your Christmas feast. A light, fresh fruit salad is ideal at Christmas because you can pretend you’ve eaten healthy food even when you’re knee-deep in selection boxes.
The recipe calls for blueberries and peaches, but you can switch these for your preferred fruit. Or add extra fruit, if you like a sweeter salad. What takes this summer salad to the next level is the added ricotta and walnut oil dressing. It is just divine!
You can throw this salad together in advance, have the dressing prepped and ready, and then mix it all together when it’s time to serve lunch. As you know, side salads are an essential feature in an Aussie festive dinner, so you might like to have a variety of fresh salads available for your guests.
Find the full recipe here.
2. Aussie Christmas ham
It’s usually sweltering on Christmas Day in Australia, so a roast dinner isn’t that appealing. Instead, for dinner ideas, many Australians choose to eat their Christmas ham cold to counter the weather.
Not only does this stop your house from overheating on the big day, but it also means you can cook the ham long before your guests arrive, allowing you to take the stress out of the meal.
If you’re looking for main dish recipes for dinner ideas, look no further. The fantastic recipe linked below is perfect – even for complete beginners. It explains every step of the process, from scoring the ham right through to achieving the perfect glaze.
Making a Christmas ham can be daunting, but this make-ahead recipe takes the stress out of cooking for a special occasion.
The recipe is perfect for a make-ahead ham because the glaze can be made up to a week in advance. All you need do is store it in an airtight container in the fridge and it will be delicious when you’re ready to cover the ham.
The ham can be cooked the day before, ensuring it’s done to perfection long before your first guest knocks at the door.
Find the full recipe here.
3. Traditional Aussie potato salad
Potato salad is a classic Australian meal and is a delicious addition to Christmas dinner. Whether you’re serving barbequed meats or cold foods, potato salad will perfectly complement the rest of the meal.
This tasty potato salad recipe features bacon and eggs, making it a healthy, protein-filled meal. The dressing is made from mayonnaise, mustard, parmesan and balsamic vinegar, so it’s a treat for the tastebuds while also being a filling side dish.
And, best of all, this scrumptious side can be prepared in advance. It will keep for a few days in the fridge, so you can prepare it ahead of time. Make extra, because you’ll most likely want to steal a cheeky forkful every time you open the refrigerator.
Find the recipe here.
4. Baked parmesan-crusted salmon
You can’t go wrong with salmon if you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser. This recipe is easy to make, can be prepared in advance and makes a show-stopping dish that will impress your guests. If you’re cooking for salmon fans, this recipe has ‘main dish’ written all over it.
The baked parmesan-crusted salmon with lemon cream sauce looks amazing served on a large platter on a table filled with those mouthwatering Christmas foods.
Although you might assume the cream sauce to be rich, it is, in fact, tangy and full of flavour, so it adds something special to your Christmas lunch. Make sure you don’t skip the sauce; it’s worth the extra effort.
One of the best things about this dish is that you can prepare it in advance without compromising on the flavour. You can prepare the breadcrumb up to two days ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
You can prepare the sauce in advance, too, and store it in the fridge until you need it On the day, you simply need to prepare the salmon and reheat the sauce for Christmas dinner perfection.
Find the recipe here.
5. Tahini coleslaw
Coleslaw is a must-have with Christmas dinner, especially if you opt for barbequed meats. Coleslaw is a light, tasty side that adds something special to your spread.
The tangy flavours and refreshing crunch are pleasing to the senses and the colourful dish adds to the table’s aesthetic. The whole family will love this dish; it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
This tahini slaw recipe only takes 15 minutes to prepare and, best of all, it can be made the day before and stored in the fridge. The extra time will allow the flavours to mingle and create a mouth-watering side.
The salad features white cabbage, radishes, white onion, cucumber and parsley; the dressing includes tahini and yogurt, giving it a smooth, creamy texture your guests will rave about.
Find the recipe here.
Christmas tradition: make-ahead desserts
It’s not just sides and mains you can prepare ahead of time for Christmas dishes. There are also plenty of sweet puddings you can cook up before the big day. Having desserts that can be served cold or reheated without much effort will be a massive help on Christmas Day.
Nobody wants to start making pudding when they’re stuffed full of turkey and potato salad. With these make-ahead sweet dish recipes, you can relax and enjoy your day while eating a yummy festive feast.
1. A gorgeous gooey fruit meringue recipe
No Aussie Christmas would be complete without a fruit pavlova taking centre stage on the dessert table. Pavlova is a popular dessert in Australia, and it’s considered a Christmas staple. The simple recipe linked below gives perfect gooey meringues every time.
You can use the recipe to create a pavlova or knock together a festive take on this cult classic. Some people make tiny meringues and arrange them, with fruit and cream, as a sweet Christmas wreath.
Find the recipe here.
2. Christmas pudding
Is Christmas pudding a festive must-have at a festive dinner, or does it gather dust on your dessert table? Although some think this yuletide pudding has fallen out of favour, others believe it’s still an important Christmas tradition.
The good news is you can prepare it in advance, so it’s not going to add to your workload on the day. This spiced, fruity, moist pudding recipe is bound to be a hit with your older relatives this Christmas.
Find the recipe here.
For even more Christmas dessert ideas, see 6 Must-try Christmas Desserts That Will Leave Everyone In Awe.
To find out more about how to prepare for Christmas, read our article Tips To Avoid Being An Exhausted Hot Mess At Christmas Time.
If you prefer a ‘less is more’ Christmas, you’ll enjoy 3 Tips For A Minimalist Christmas.
